If you grew up in the 60s, 70s, or 80s and needed to have a filling or crown fitted by your dental team, chances are that you were fitted with a metal or amalgam restorative. These options are composed of a mixture of metal which is attached to the tooth in a putty-like form, allowing the dental team to mould them into the desired shape. But, as you can imagine, they can be a bit problematic, especially if you are having them fitted to a tooth or teeth that are at the front of the mouth. Luckily, in the last few years, many dental surgeries have offered patients with metal fillings and crowns the option to have them replaced with tooth-coloured, composite options. So, if you have had enough of your silver fillings or crowns and want to have them replaced, what are the main advantages of doing so? A dentist in Tunbridge Wells explains below. 

Silver fillings are noticeable in the mouth and can be unsightly, especially if they are placed on teeth near the front. In some instances, patients have reported that they look green! Not very flattering. Replacing them with tooth-coloured fillings can improve the appearance of your smile and can prevent people from being able to spot that you have had any restorative work done at all. Great! 

Silver/amalgam fillings have a lifespan of about 10-15 years on average, and this presumes that they have been fitted correctly, which is harder for even the most experienced dental teams. Replacing them with tooth-coloured fillings, such as composite resin or ceramic, can provide a longer-lasting solution. So, you won't need to worry about the restoratives falling out, but you will still need to see your dental team for check-ups. 

Not to be alarmist, but silver fillings contain a small amount of mercury, which is a toxic substance. Some people are concerned about the potential health risks of having silver fillings in their mouths. It's worth noting that there has been minimal (if any) research into the dangers of silver fillings long term, but many patients prefer to be safe rather than sorry and opt to have them replaced. 

When your dental team fits a silver filling, they have to remove more of the healthy tooth because, in layman's terms, metal fillings are harder to bond to the tooth. Due to this and the fact that they react to heat, silver fillings can shrink over time, which can create small gaps between the filling and the tooth. These gaps can allow bacteria to penetrate the tooth, potentially leading to decay or infection. Modern filling materials can bond to the tooth more effectively, reducing the risk of decay and allowing more of the tooth to be preserved. 

Modern filling materials like composite resin and ceramic are stronger and more durable than silver fillings and can handle the forces of chewing and biting into food better. As mentioned before, these materials also do not respond to heat in the same way as metal, meaning that they will be stronger for longer. Great!